I got to appreciate congolese music in the 1990's while living in London and Washington DC, the music from that decade was modern yet pure, the 1980's were the foundation years and the 2000's was an era in which congolese music gained great popularity through youtube and the internet.

I had songs like Koffi Olomide's Dessepoir, Losambo - Extra Musica and Reine de Saba - Bozi Boziana on repeat.

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Welcome to the forum. Regarding the best music generation, i think it's a matter of taste and it's difficult because each generation has a different kind of music. I prefer the generation of Franco especially music from early eighties and i also like the music introduced by Wenge and copied by Extra Musica. 

I'm also a big fan of Franco and all the artistic protege's that he spawned, including Mabiala and Madilu System etc,.... thanks for the info.

I would vote for the generation that emerged in the 80's plus Extra Musica.

IMO, the best Congolese Music was released from the 60s through the mid 2000s (2003)

Congolese Music went through many phases. The late 50s and 60's was the Afro Latin phase. Dr Nico, Bantous de la Capitale and Franco used to make a lot of Latin songs in the style of Merengue, Cha Cha Cha and Bolero. Bantous de la Capitale was the most popular band of this era with the late vocalist Pamelo Mounk'a along with Kosmos Moutouari being the forefront vocals.

Congolese Music really peaked from 1973 (when Cavacha was created circa Meridjo mimicking the drums of the train) throughout the 90s especially with the Soukous & Ndombolo period (late 90s to early 2000s).

In the 70s, the late Verckys Kiamuangana was instrumental in producing the best orchestras of the time: Bella Bella, Lipua Lipua, Empire Bakuba, Kiam, Kamale, Veve.

There was over 500 bands being created in Kinshasa!

The 70s is also where Congolese music spread towards West Africa via Sam Mangwana & African All Stars. Also Congolese Music made it's base in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda) with numerous bands such as Orchestre Virunga (Samba Mapangala), Super Mazembe, Grand Oza, Orchestre Makassy of Mose Fan Fan, Les Mangelepa, Viva Makale, Les Wanyika, Super Wanyika, etc.

Congolese Music also influenced a lot of Nigerian highlife and Cameroonian Makossa releases. Super Negro Bantous, Prince Nico Mbarga (RIP) & Rocafil Jazz, African System Orchestra, Oliver de Coque - best guitarist from Nigeria imo (RIP).


There was a band called Hi Fives who created the Kibuishi style. The Kibuishi style influence the Benga of Kenya in the early 70s. If you listen to early Shirati Jazz records of DO Misiani, you can hear the Kibushi style in full effect!

The reason why a lot of musicians of the 70s migrated towards East & West Africa is based the studios in those areas were of high quality & audio resonance. Verckys had the best studio recordings in the 70s.

The 80s is where the quality improved. The 80s also had some of the greatest sebenes!!

The 80s brought us the influx of Clan Zaiko

Langa Langa Stars, Grand Zaiko Wawa, Viva La Musica, Zaiko Langa Langa in their prime, Pepe Kalle & Empire Bakuba in their prime, Anti Choc, Choc Stars, Afrisa International in their prime, Orchestre Stukas, Stars Magnats, Franco & TPOK Jazz, Johnny Bokelo, Aurlus Mabele & Loketo, Kanda Bongo Man, Wenge Musica (they peaked in the 90s, but Mulolo is a masterpiece).

The 90s was a golden era with Extra Musica, Wenge Musica, Zaiko Langa Langa, Wenge Aile Paris, Koffi Olomide & Quartier Latin, Big Stars & General Defao (RIP) along with the Parisian Soukous & Ndombolo style being dancefloor songs in the club.

The first song that introduced me to Congolese Music was actually Ce Chale Carnaval by Pepe Kalle. The solo guitar from Kinanga Boeing remains one of the best songs of that decade!

For me the best generation is the one considered as 3RD generation zaiko,for one reason,its by a massive distance the one which had the most artists having success in africa,even as band members,you would have a nzaya nzayadio selling a lot of cassettes,defao, papa wemba,shimita,the big zaiko,bozi in solo  and so on,there was dirty tactics as always but  there was a true global dynamic,now we have a couple of guys trying their best but some being massively disrespected and belittled

Definitely not now sadly. 90s and 2000s (early) when we had tons of albums loaded with sebenes. Prior to that I would argue music was creative then.

Nowadays I’m disappointed with a lot of these artists. Not sure if anyone feels the same. 

for me personally 90s but objectively its the 80s congolese music went to another level that decade peak zaiko, prime papa wemba, Empire Bakuba,Loketo  great upcoming arist koffi, wenge. alot of unity among artist doin collab albums really good decade for music overall as well

I'm with you

Definitely not now sadly. 90s and 2000s (early) when we had tons of albums loaded with sebenes. Prior to that I would argue music was creative then.

Nowadays I’m disappointed with a lot of these artists. Not sure if anyone feels the same.

100% agree